Why Felons Can't Vote & Why They Should

originally posted by: Tardacus
I don`t believe most convicted felons care whether they can vote or not,it`s difficult to believe that criminals are very civic minded to begin
with.
sure, let them vote, as someone above has already posted, what difference will it make elections are rigged anyway.

You don't get out much, do you? We are every where. I'm a grandfather, veteran, electrician, very civic minded and a felon. What I am not, nor have I
ever been, is a criminal.

originally posted by: ApparentlyStupid
Hmm. I still can't find the spot in the constitution and bill of rights that says "except criminals".
A hand full of entries that protect potential criminals, but nothing that says except them...

Well considering they can vote I don't see why thATS still a issue in regards to the op. Should the question be on most applications you fill out?
That's more pressing to most felons. If that's eliminated, should it be for all felons? Or nonviolent? Should nonviolent felons be allowed to bare
arms?

I'm sorry but no. They should not be given the right to vote. Once you break the law you give up that right.

Everyone has broken the law. Everyone has committed at least one felony. There was a study in the 1940s, "Our Law-Abiding Lawbreakers," in which 99%
of respondents admitted to committing at least one crime that could have sent them away for a year or more. None of them had been arrested. The other
1%, I think, was lying.

By the way, there are convicted felons working for the Federal government. Felonies will keep you out of the FBI and such agencies, but they are not
disqualifying governmentwide. Felons may not be able to vote for their bosses, but they can still hold public trust and/or sensitive positions in the
government.

edit on 25-12-2015 by FurvusRexCaeli because: change pronoun to noun for clarity

This applies only to state and local level elections. Not Federal elections. This is based on how SCOTUS interprets section 2 of the 14 th
Amendment.

Just to give a little background perspective, in 1800 for example, there were no laws in the US prohibiting felons from voting. By 1860, 80% of states
had laws prohibiting felons from their right to vote. This was done ostensibly to keep as many free blacks from voting as possible as the demographics
then we're not so different from today in regards to people of African descent being disproportionately represented in the ranks of convicted felons.

If someone has served their sentence, is a productive member of society who works and pays taxes then they should have the right to vote reinstated.
After all. Isn't that one of the impetus for revolting against the Crown in 1776? Taxation without representation?

No! Convicted felons should not be allowed to vote. In the US we need people that can understand the consequences of their actions voting, as well as
people that will vote for the good of all society. Unless they have been pardoned, why would you want them to vote? Originally the right to vote was
only bestowed on men that owned land. While limiting it only to men was wrong, the idea that you had to own real property was the right idea. In
other words people that were smart enough to figure out how to own and maintain property were probably wise enough to be able to vote competently.

Felons are not allowed to vote because they know how screwed up our judicial system is. If they were allowed to vote the private prison industry would
be in big trouble. No longer would people be allowed to profit off of the incarceration of others. I say let them vote. Not like it matters anymore
anyway corporations determine who is elected in this country.

Felons are not allowed to vote because they know how screwed up our judicial system is. If they were allowed to vote the private prison industry would
be in big trouble. No longer would people be allowed to profit off of the incarceration of others. I say let them vote. Not like it matters anymore
anyway corporations determine who is elected in this country.

Yeah I never understood why doing your time for the crime isn't enough ? Because when someone does time so do the loved ones and families too. And
when they are released they are ostracized from society , employers , from renting a place ect. It's as if they are set up to fail and then forced to
turn to crime again.

It's by design imo , the offender is considered stock for for profit prisons. Once you go to prison you will be forever a slave to the state that
point on. The door is forever revolving with a cell and a cot waiting for them with a name on it. It's big business it's never been about
"corrections" or "rehabilitation" that's a lie.

originally posted by: AntigravityField
No! Convicted felons should not be allowed to vote. In the US we need people that can understand the consequences of their actions voting, as well as
people that will vote for the good of all society. Unless they have been pardoned, why would you want them to vote? Originally the right to vote was
only bestowed on men that owned land. While limiting it only to men was wrong, the idea that you had to own real property was the right idea. In
other words people that were smart enough to figure out how to own and maintain property were probably wise enough to be able to vote competently.

When someone robs a bank the last thing they are thinking is

"Better not do this I can't vote if I get caught"

Said no criminal ever !

As others pointed out this is no punishment to the individual but a political scam to keep the crooked white collar scum in power. They depend on
people like you go keep them elected.

Do you know how incredibly easy it is to NOT be a felon? You don't have to try to not be a felon. It doesn't require training,or conscious effort. In
fact, not being a felon is one of the easiest things in life.

I didn't watch the video but I am a felon. FYI, FELONS CAN VOTE! They can't vote while in jail/prison or while on probation but once free of probation
or prison in most states their right to vote is automatically restored. In commonwealth states like where I live in Virginia you have to email if a
non-violent offender or mail if violent a form in to the governors office stating that you would like the right to vote. I believe along with that
comes the rights to hold public office,be bonded,etc.. But not the right to sale alcohol,practice medicine or own a firearm or run for governor,senate
or president. Not sure why but they want you to file separate petitions for some of your rights. As well as with a passport,felons have to ask
permission to get one and then when leaving ask to leave. It's all really weird. I've been told they also block you from moving to another country but
I don't know about that. I do know that after about 7 to 10 years after your conviction the federal government doesn't really care much about you
being a felon. I at this very moment have several passes to work on government installations and inside of federal buildings. I also have a rapid pass
and twic card to work at ports and airports. It's all really not that hard you just have to gain an understanding of how the system works and don't
give up or act #ing stupid. The only thing I don't get is that in some states,no matter how long you've been free you can never have your record
cleared. If someone could shed some light on that,please do so. a reply to: JesseVentura

(post by franky2 removed for a serious terms and conditions violation)

originally posted by: Cumingsj
I didn't watch the video but I am a felon. FYI, FELONS CAN VOTE! They can't vote while in jail/prison or while on probation but once free of probation
or prison in most states their right to vote is automatically restored. In commonwealth states like where I live in Virginia you have to email if a
non-violent offender or mail if violent a form in to the governors office stating that you would like the right to vote. I believe along with that
comes the rights to hold public office,be bonded,etc.. But not the right to sale alcohol,practice medicine or own a firearm or run for governor,senate
or president. Not sure why but they want you to file separate petitions for some of your rights. As well as with a passport,felons have to ask
permission to get one and then when leaving ask to leave. It's all really weird. I've been told they also block you from moving to another country but
I don't know about that. I do know that after about 7 to 10 years after your conviction the federal government doesn't really care much about you
being a felon. I at this very moment have several passes to work on government installations and inside of federal buildings. I also have a rapid pass
and twic card to work at ports and airports. It's all really not that hard you just have to gain an understanding of how the system works and don't
give up or act #ing stupid. The only thing I don't get is that in some states,no matter how long you've been free you can never have your record
cleared. If someone could shed some light on that,please do so. a reply to: JesseVentura

That's not true. As an ex-felon I can 100% without a doubt say that once you complete your terms, you still need to apply for whats known as a
certificate of relief from disability (granted to petty criminals automatically, but for more serious offenders it needs manual application)

You don't have to apply in every state. States like Indiana give them back automatically. I lived there for a few years before I applied to have mine
restored in VA. I had the rights to vote,serve jury duty,sale alcohol and the other BS that doesn't really matter This was 2 years ago when I lived
there.
Below is a map to the voting right restoration. The dark blue,light blue and yellow are also the states in which almost all restore rights once
released from probation & paroles. Orange state you must apply for restoration and red you are basically #ed for life if you stay there. Most of the
states outside the ones in blue won't expunge or seal your record ever. I'm not sure when you had to go through this but many of the laws have changed
over the past year or 2 www.aclu.org... .a reply to: theySeeme

This content community relies on user-generated content from our member contributors. The opinions of our members are not those of site ownership who maintains strict editorial agnosticism and simply provides a collaborative venue for free expression.